Autonomy is the State of one entity Being
* with NEMANJA NIKOLIC

written Abigail Hart

”Art always had the power to influence society. Since artists are autonomous, or should be, they can convey messages that others may be avoiding.“

Autonomy is the state of one entity being free from any other entity’s control. Freedom is almost always defined as freedom from—freedom from tyranny, freedom from oppression, freedom from relationships. Yet the concept of autonomy is defined by relationships. Emma Lazarus, author of the famous inscription on the Statue of Liberty, said of these relationships, “Until we are all free, none of us are free.” 

Nemanja Nikolic wears autonomy like a coat—something necessary at times, and something to be taken off at other times, to be put aside or shared with someone else. Nikolic lives in a reality of interdependence, not just independence. He uses his autonomy to freely create on his own terms. He innovates with new media, takes inspiration from wherever he finds it, and finds and disrupts balance as he sees fit. 

“I must admit that I believe in compromise…. Maybe it's just because I have been autonomous all my life, and I don't appreciate it as much I should.”

The autonomy Nikolic displays in his life and art could easily be mistaken for aloofness. Nikolic works alone, choosing his own hours and projects, but the balance Nikolic shows in his art tells another story. Nikolic moves through the world in a reality of interdependence, not just independence.  As he gathers inspiration, he connects with his surroundings, listening and observing. Everyday objects become the stars of conceptual pieces and signs of neglect are lovingly transformed into something worthy of being celebrated.  

Autonomy is a privilege that few can claim, and Nikolic acknowledges that. He sees the arts as the way to bring equality and universality to a fractured world. He wants to use art as a way to initiate discussions about important topics in society, and to do that, artists have to be connected to society in every way.

.artist talk
Nemanja Nikolic
speaks with
Abigail Hart
first published in:
issue 30, 01/2021

“artists should work towards getting closer to people and use the power that art has as a medium that can be universally understood.”

Nikolic sees the highest ambition of art as moving towards people, not away from them. To him, this means arts outreach and education. Most importantly, it means improved accessibility to education, so that the privilege of autonomy becomes as universal as the medium through which artists like Nikolic communicate. 

Nemanja Nikolic’s words inspired me, and I started to wonder if any of us can have autonomy until we realize that autonomy does not mean freedom from other people, it means freedom to connect with other people. The freedom to find balance and form bonds and relationships is the true privilege. As we as a society take responsibility for reaching out to our community members, we will see that privilege spread and grow until autonomy becomes as universal as art is.

credit header image

Nemanja Nikolic
seen by Louis Delbarre and Som Prahb